New Ford Performance Vehicles Falcon Range Released - Ford Considers Axing V8 Falcon

[GMusa]

www.autoblog.com

Ford releases specs on new FPV Falcons

Posted Apr 14th 2008 10:58AM by John Neff
Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Sports/GTs, Ford, Australia

Click above for high-res gallery of the new FPV Falcon F6

Ford is getting ready for a battle in Australia for the hearts and minds of performance enthusiasts. Its new FPV Falcons will go head to head with what HSV offers from Holden, and today the Blue Oval from Down Under released officials specs for its souped up, gnarly-looking rear-wheel-drive sedans. First we have the F6, which is powered by the familiar turbocharged 4.0L straight-six engine now producing 416 horsepower and 417 pound-feet of torque at just 1,950 rpm. That's a 54-horsepower increase over the prior straight six, and matches up surprisingly well with Ford's other engine offering, the 5.4L Boss V8 producing 422 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque at a loftier 4,750 rpm. The Boss motor can be had in the GT E, GT-P and GT sedans, as well as the Super Pursuit and Pursuit Ute. The exceptional straight-six meanwhile, is only offered in the F6 sedan and ute.

Let's compare what Ford revealed today with the offerings from Holden's HSV. Currently the Clubsport R8 is HSV's most high-performance sedan, and it's powered by an LS3 6.2L V8 producing 425 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque. Ford has pretty much matched HSV in the motor department then, and the new Falcon looks like it might weigh less to boot. But HSV dropped a bomb at the Melbourne Motor Show named the HSV W427, which is a version of the Clubsport R8 powered by GM's LS7 V8 producing 496 horses and 472 pound feet of torque. Hopefully Ford Australia has an answer for that up its sleeves, too.



Ford Press Release

FPV Reveals Power Figures for New FG Model Range

Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) has today revealed that its new F6 engine will produce 310kW, while the new Boss V8 engine will increase its power output to 315kW.

The new F6 will be powered by a high performance 4.0 litre turbo charged DOHC 24 valve in-line 6 cylinder engine that produces an awesome 310 kW of power at 5500 RPM, and 565 Nm of torque between 1950 and 5200 RPM.

The new 5.4 litre Boss V8 engine also receives a substantial performance upgrade, producing 315 kW of power at 6500 RPM and 551 Nm of torque at 4750 RPM- an increase of 13 kW from the previous Boss 302 engine.

"After months of speculation, we're proud to officially confirm the power figures for our next generation of performance cars," General Manager, Ford Performance Vehicles, Rod Barrett said.

"After two years of testing and development we have two new engine variants that will deliver big performance."

The new F6 receives a whopping 40 kilowatt increase, making it one of the best high performance six-cylinder production cars on the market.

"The F6 is an amazing car with performance equal or better to many European sports cars, but at a fraction of the price." Barrett said.

"Those who enjoy taking their vehicles to track days are going to really benefit from this car."

To achieve the significant 40 kilowatt increase, FPV engineers strengthened the piston design and cranked up the boost. The larger intercooler is mounted in front of the radiator, with substantially reduced pressure drop across the intercooler which provides better airflow with no loss of boost capability.

"With the new Boss 315, our engineers broadened the torque curve, which consequently delivers better pick and drive at a lower rev range, as well as better get up and go from a standing start." Barrett said.

"As a result, the V8 powered cars feel lighter and more responsive."

The 310kW turbo-charged 6 will power both the F6 and F6 Ute, while the 315kW Boss V8 will feature in the GT E, GT-P and GT sedans and Super Pursuit and Pursuit utes.

The Boss 315 badging will feature on the GT and GT-P's new-look power bulge and engine cover.

The F6 will carry F6 310 badging on the sides and rear of the sedan and ute, as well as the engine air cleaner box.

"The power upgrades are significant on both our V8 and F6 engines and they perfectly complement the aggressive styling of our new range."

Further details regarding FPV's new FG range will be made available closer to the on sale date in June.



Ford Considers Axing V8 Falcon

Bruce Newton
15 April 2008
www.drive.com.au

Ford could again drop the V8 engine from the Falcon range in response to environmental concerns, while diesel power will at last be available for Falcon and Territory in 2010.

Will new FG XR8 be the last regular Falcon to be powered by a V8? Ford Australia is not guaranteeing the engine's presence in a future line-up.
Ford could drop the V8 engine for future Falcons.

With sales of Falcon dipping and emissions rules getting tougher, Ford Australia’s recently appointed president Bill Osborne is offering no guarantees a V8 engine is part of the Falcon’s future.

The 5.4-litre 'Boss' V8 has survived into the new FG Falcon line-up – on-sale in May 2008 – but only in one model: the hardcore Falcon XR8.

The 4.0-litre turbo six-cylinder has instead become the more widely used performance engine, employed in both the XR and G6 ranges.

The Falcon's six-cylinder turbo engine also outpaces the Falcon V8, easily besting it against the stopwatch in testing by Drive and other media outlets.

Click here to continue article

Gallery: 2008 FPV F6


Gallery: 2008 FPV GT


Gallery: 2008 FPV Super Pursuit

[GMusa]

" turbocharged 4.0L straight-six engine now producing 416 horsepower and 417 pound-feet of torque at just 1,950 rpm."

GM really needs a Turbocharged V6!

Whats the difference between a "straight-six" and a "V6" engine??

But Ford really needs to bring this over to the States ASAP!!!

[asrapid]

Originally Posted by GMusa

" turbocharged 4.0L straight-six engine now producing 416 horsepower and 417 pound-feet of torque at just 1,950 rpm."

GM really needs a Turbocharged V6!

Whats the difference between a "straight-six" and a "V6" engine??

But Ford really needs to bring this over to the States ASAP!!!

Straight Six are inline six engine. they are perfectly balance but also more longer and taller (usually ) then V6 (which are wider).
Now 4.0 l I6 with turbocharger and 417 HP.
Why GM doesn't offer 3.6 l with TT? Or maybe even bigger displacement with TT? It could probably develop over 400 hp.

[MN12Fan]

The turbo six is impressive for sure but what really gets me is how Ford of Australia can keep on squeezing power out of the 5.4L V8. It really makes me wonder why Ford never followed suit here in North America. It wouldn't make too much sense now with new V8s on the way but Australians getting a lot more power out of their 5.4L V8s compared to those in North America isn't really a new thing. With their 5.4 well over 400 horsepower, you'd at least think that Ford could have made a 4.6 with around 350 horsepower for the North American market. Must be emissions or fuel efficiency issues.

[masterleeland]

good for ford in the engine department, too bad they s**t the bed when it came to the design

[Ach]

Originally Posted by GMusa

" turbocharged 4.0L straight-six engine now producing 416 horsepower and 417 pound-feet of torque at just 1,950 rpm."

GM really needs a Turbocharged V6!

Whats the difference between a "straight-six" and a "V6" engine??

But Ford really needs to bring this over to the States ASAP!!!

Not only will the inline 6 not be coming over here, it is slated to be killed in the next couple of years in favor of the D35 and variants thereof.

[Ach]

Originally Posted by MN12Fan

The turbo six is impressive for sure but what really gets me is how Ford of Australia can keep on squeezing power out of the 5.4L V8. It really makes me wonder why Ford never followed suit here in North America. It wouldn't make too much sense now with new V8s on the way but Australians getting a lot more power out of their 5.4L V8s compared to those in North America isn't really a new thing. With their 5.4 well over 400 horsepower, you'd at least think that Ford could have made a 4.6 with around 350 horsepower for the North American market. Must be emissions or fuel efficiency issues.

We don't even get 4V cylinder heads over here. What I find remarkable is that FPV, with all its models, can be sustained in such a small market while SVT on this side of the pond is on life support (with only a Mustang or two) and Ford can't (supposedly for financial reasons) field a single performance version of any of its vehicles except the Mustang.

[EldoFan]

Originally Posted by Ach

We don't even get 4V cylinder heads over here. What I find remarkable is that FPV, with all its models, can be sustained in such a small market while SVT on this side of the pond is on life support (with only a Mustang or two) and Ford can't (supposedly for financial reasons) field a single performance version of any of its vehicles except the Mustang.

A knee jerk reaction would have me calling Ford's treatment of SVT a pure crock of ****.......but then again, they could either just be watching Putz slash-and-burn future RWD/V8 development at GM or they really could be in a financial bind.....

[1931Chevy]

The inline six has 2 more years of life, its a damn good engine but will not meet AU new Emission restriction for 2010, thats why Ford has some Falcons here in the states since they are testing the D35 for the falcon

[63GrandSport001]

Tomorrow Holden will announce that they will build the new Manero lol

[Kamshaaft]

Originally Posted by GMusa

" turbocharged 4.0L straight-six engine now producing 416 horsepower and 417 pound-feet of torque at just 1,950 rpm."

GM really needs a Turbocharged V6!

Whats the difference between a "straight-six" and a "V6" engine??

But Ford really needs to bring this over to the States ASAP!!!

I6's make more torque and have the ability to rev higher, a win-win situation.
The cylinders are all in a line and they're not on an angle, or much of one anyway (unless it's a legendary Mopar Slant Six 225!).

Hot Inline Sixes are pretty iconic in/for Australia, it'd be bullsh!t to faze them out.

[Aych Es Vee]

Ford Australia needs a V8.


While the current 6 cylinder turbo models are seen as VERY awesome, the V8s are still crucial for the history.


Personally, I think most people would be okay if Ford said 'we will drop the V8, but dont worry because it WILL come back in a few years'.

If they just drop it with no intention of bringing it back ..... a lot of people arent going to think much of Ford.

The GT is still the hero, and still the model that keep people craving for a phase 5 GTHO.

[redTT]

The I6 is an excellent motor 340+rwkw with just intercooler, boost and tune.

[paul8488]

Some people just want a V8. Just as many don't like the idea of a 4-cyl or even 6-cyl Camaro and wouldn't buy either even if they had 400 hp, I assume that many Australians who currently buy V8 Holdens and Fords will only ever buy V8s. This could be good news for Holden.

[Generation IV]

Well, The Boss V8 wasn't exactly a measurable foe for the LS engines. Ford has huge potential in the 6 cylinder department and they should exploit that to their full potential. Axing the V8 could be good and bad. It means more funds for the 6-cylinder tribe but also the loss of the petrol-head V8 lovers. And Ford has a huge crowd of them. But if they decide to cut the V8, then that leaves a huge door to Holden to exploit their V8 advantage. The V6 will be improved soon and with a possible V8 advantage it should be interesting how it turns out.

In my opinion though, I still think Ford should keep at least one V8 model, just for the fans, and to keep its brand image from going sow. I guess this sort of stems rumours of a GT-HO revival or is this a power-play hoax from Ford?